Gentility in Early Modern Wales: The Salesbury Family, 1450–1720

The gentry in early modern Wales had a lot of opportunities, such as governing their communities, acquiring former monastic lands, and seeking fortunes abroad. They also had to navigate a complex relationship with their English neighbors and cultivate a new identity as Cambro-Britons. This book explores how the Salesburys of Rhug and Bachymbyd negotiated these changing expectations of gentility, highlighting that Welshness remained fundamental to their sense of self.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 256 pages
Publication date: 15 February 2024
Publisher: University of Wales Press

Early modern Wales was a fertile ground for the gentry to thrive. The Acts of Union with England bestowed upon them the authority to govern their local communities, the Reformation facilitated the acquisition of former monastic lands to their estates, and the burgeoning global expansion beckoned them to seek fortunes abroad. Moreover, early modern Wales was a realm in transition. The gentry navigated a intricate web of relationships with their English counterparts and forged a new identity as Cambro-Britons. This captivating new study delves into the ways in which one Welsh gentry family, the Salesburys of Rhug and Bachymbyd, adeptly navigated the evolving expectations of gentility in early modern Wales. Through a thorough analysis, the book reveals that the Welsh gentry were acutely aware of their social status and possessed a keen sense of opportunism. Nevertheless, the essence of their Welshness remained steadfast and integral to their self-identity. By contextualizing the early modern Welsh gentry within a broader global framework, this study adds a fresh perspective to our understanding of their era.

Weight: 346g
Dimension: 136 x 217 x 18 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781837720965